Slash Puppet
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Defunct | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, singles, music videos |
Slash Puppet was a hard rock group originating from Toronto, Canada, established in 1989. The initial ensemble featured lead singer Mif, guitarists Lou Garscadden and Frank Bartoletti, bassist Pete Dove, and drummer Franklin Wyles. In 1992, Dave Carreiro took over bass duties from Dove. The band produced three albums and received accolades such as Best Toronto Club Band and Best Independent Music Video before disbanding in 1995.
Formation and The Demo era (1989–1993)
Drummer Franklin Wyles and vocalist Mif founded Slash Puppet, assembling guitarists Frank Bartoletti and Lou Garscadden along with bassist Pete Dove from Toronto’s local music circuit. Following rigorous rehearsals, they recorded their inaugural cassette release titled The Demo in Toronto. The group performed extensively throughout Toronto and Southern Ontario, securing the "Best Toronto Club Act" award at the 1990 Toronto Music Awards, surpassing acts such as David Wilcox and Sven Gali. This achievement caught the attention of Canadian music manager Ray Danniels (noted for managing Rush), who signed them to SRO Management/Anthem Entertainment. Subsequently, the band engaged in a promotional tour including television and radio interviews nationwide while presenting showcases for A&R executives from record labels across North America.
Official debut: Slash Puppet (1993–1995)
Following the underground acclaim of The Demo, Slash Puppet proceeded to craft their official debut album, also titled Slash Puppet. Initially, the band was unhappy with the production quality, criticizing it as overly reminiscent of Bryan Adams and lacking energy. Canadian Juno-nominated producer Richard Chycki—recognized for collaborations with Dream Theater, Rush, and Aerosmith—remixed the album, applying a more natural sound that revitalized the project. Released in 1993 through Fringe Records after departing from SRO Management/Anthem Entertainment, the album received steady airplay on MuchMusic’s Power Hour and Canadian radio stations. This exposure supported independent tours throughout Toronto, Southern Ontario, and Quebec.
By late 1994, the emergence of grunge caused a downturn in interest toward hard rock and glam metal styles, hindering the band’s progress. With lineup changes including bassist Dave Carreiro replacing Pete Dove and guitarist Marcel La Fleur taking over from Lou Garscadden, Slash Puppet embarked on a final Canadian tour. Early in 1995, lead vocalist Anthony J. Mifsud ("Mif") exited to focus on an acting career amid the waning popularity of hard rock and heavy metal driven by grunge's rise. The remaining members explored different musical paths, effectively concluding the band’s six-year existence. Two singles from this timeframe—"When The Whip Comes Down" and "Rippin' On A Wishbone"—were included in the 1996 Cannon Pictures film Chain of Command.
Passing of Lou Garscadden (2001)
On August 4, 2001, founding guitarist Lou Garscadden was discovered deceased at his residence, reportedly due to a heart attack. His funeral saw a large turnout, with his casket carried out to the tune of Slash Puppet’s track "Hitch A Ride (On A Train)."
No Strings Attached (2007)
In early 2007, more than a decade after their breakup, rumors circulated about a new Slash Puppet release through the Australian label Suncity Records. During the band's inactive period, Canadian broadcaster Much Music replayed Slash Puppet's "Slow Down" music video, reigniting fan interest and capturing the attention of Suncity executives. Originally intended to be called Slash Puppet II, the album was retitled No Strings Attached to avoid suggesting an official reunion. Released on September 3, 2007, it consisted of reissued tracks from the band's 1992 demo sessions. The album received acclaim within hard rock and heavy metal communities worldwide, securing the #7 spot on Sleaze Roxx's Top 10 Best releases of that year.
Studs & Gems (2021)
On October 19, 2019, lead singer Mif revealed plans for a compilation CD showcasing "the band's very best songs" in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Slash Puppet's first live performance. Although its release was postponed, the compilation, titled Studs & Gems, officially launched on October 19, 2021, accompanied by its cover art. The track listing was unveiled on October 26, and in a November 10, 2021 interview on CGCM Radio/Podcast, Mif confirmed that this limited edition collection was distributed through the independent label MIF Entertainment.
Here For Blood (2022/23)
On October 18, 2022, Mif announced via MIF Entertainment Canada that Slash Puppet’s track "When The Whip Comes Down" would be featured in the Canadian slasher comedy film Here For Blood. The movie debuted as the Closing Gala at the 2022 Toronto After Dark Film Festival to favorable reviews. Later, on September 29, 2023, JoBlo.com reported that Cineverse had secured U.S. distribution rights with plans for a theatrical release in 2024, followed by global availability on their horror streaming service Screambox.
Musical style
Slash Puppet is predominantly recognized as a hard rock band, blending influences from glam rock, blues, and heavy metal genres.
Reunion Rumours
In 2017, sightings of the band together in Toronto sparked speculation about a reunion, which was further encouraged by vocalist Mif’s posts on social media. In October 2019, Mif announced the forthcoming compilation Studs and Gems, commemorating three decades since their debut performance. Pre-orders began and the tracklist was disclosed in October 2021; it included all six songs from their 1993 self-titled album, five tracks from No Strings Attached, plus a previously unreleased live recording.
Awards
| Award | Year | Work Nominated | Category | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Music Awards | 1990 | Slash Puppet | Best Toronto Club Band | Template:Won |
| Los Angeles Music Awards | 1993 | When the Whip Comes Down (from Slash Puppet) | Best Independent Music Video | Template:Won |
| Sleaze Roxx Magazine | 2007 | No Strings Attached | Top CD of 2007 | Template:Won |
Discography
Slash Puppet’s discography consists of one EP and three full-length albums.
Releases
| Year | Title | Label | Chart Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | The Demo - EP | (Anthem Records/Universal Music) | — |
| 1993 | Slash Puppet | Fringe Records | — |
| 2007 | No Strings Attached | Suncity Records | — |
| 2021 | Studs & Gems | MIF Entertainment | — |
| "—" indicates releases that did not enter music charts. | |||
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | "Slow Down" | — |
| 1994 | "When The Whip Comes Down" | — |
| The symbol "—" indicates releases that did not enter the charts. "×" signifies times when chart data was unavailable or unrecorded. | ||
Videos
- Slow Down (1990)
- When The Whip Comes Down (1993)